Web-only letters to the editor, March 24, 2014

Dispatch.com regularly will post letters to the editor that don't make it to print in The Dispatch. Unlike letters to the editor that appear in the newspaper, Web-only letters have not been edited.

Dispatch.com regularly will post letters to the editor that don't make it to print in The Dispatch. Unlike letters to the editor that appear in the newspaper, Web-only letters have not been edited.

Union label

Happy Anniversary!!! Three years ago on March 31, 2011, Governor Kasich signed SB5 into law. This was to do away with union rights and doing away with the right for workers to have union representation. So then began the campaign of Issue 2, for the unions to regain their place in the work place. After long hours and lots of contacts, Issue 2 failed unanimously by the voters; the voice of the voters were heard loud and clear across United States that we are a State who supports the Union and we will stand for Union Rights.

Has we head into another election and the governors position is up for election. We need to remember what we have had to face in the past with Kasich in office. Do we really want to have to fight for union rights again? There has been talk about a “Right to Work State” which is another way of doing away with the Unions. Kasich’s goal is to do away with the union, no matter how you say it, he is Anti-Union. Please support those candidates who support the union. This Anniversary is only happy because we defeated SB 5, only by Ohioans joining together to let our voice be heard. Let you voice be heard when you vote in 2014. We stand for Unions.

Pamela Riley, Bidwell

Job search

I am forced to look for a part-time job after retirement because my "People First" company is electing to offer retirees a medical plan with premiums that are 576% above those of active employees. (Perhaps, Dear Dispatch, that would be a story for another day!)

Despite my enthusiasm and persistence, I cannot find work, even at those huge employers in our area with OHIO prominently in their names. I have been "not selected" for job after job without even being contacted. After sending out over 150 applications for entry level positions, I have gotten TWO interviews. Certainly they cannot be worried that I will ask for higher wages - these are all entry level positions with set pay scales. Surely it can't be that they fear I cannot absorb their training - I have an established track record in an very competitive industry.

Instead, I can only suspect that they note the 30 years at my previous employer and assume that I will be too expensive, too wobbly, or too senile to hire. What they should assume is that older workers are loyal, dedicated, motivated and dependable. Maybe someone will eventually take a chance. I will not stop trying because that's not what my generation does!

Pat E. Koetz, Pickerington

Help the animals

To the Commissioners of Knox County, Ohio:

I urge you to reconsider your decision to suspend the volunteer program at the animal shelter. The dogs are the ones who suffer because of it. The volunteers walk the dogs each day, they play with them, and they work on behavioral issues. They know the dogs better than the officers, and are better ambassadors for possible adoptions.

While Roger Reed was Warden, he grew the volunteer program, and praised the work of the volunteers. He also knew what good will he was spreading in the community.

The current Warden is young, inexperienced and knows nothing about dogs. He is standing on his authority to show he can do it. His management style has turned away many long-time volunteers, and has, even before the current incident with Fletch, spread ill-will in the community.

Concerning Fletch's situation: Years ago, I had a wonderful Newfoundland Dog named Max. My step sons were 5 and 9, and were playing with water pistols. At one point, the younger one screamed out because he was getting creamed so badly. Max ran in and grabbed him by the thigh with his mouth and pulled him away from the fight with his brother. He was rescuing him. While he didn't break the skin on the boy, he definitely left bruises and teeth marks. Should he have been put down for this? Of course not! Fletch is not a dangerous dog, either; he's just been living in a small cell for too long. Unfortunately, this has turned into a power struggle, rather than an objective look at whether or not a dog named "Fletch" is vicious.

I beg you to calm down the Warden, get him some training on people-skills and dog handling, drop any court appeal and reinstate the Volunteer Program. The community is not going to let go on this one (because in this case, it's right), and the Commissioners can end everything on a good note right now by swallowing their pride and backing down. While you may end up winning legally on this one, you will lose in the court of public opinion and in the long run. Plus, you will allow an innocent dog to be killed, and condemn hundreds of other dogs not to receive needed attention from volunteers who love and care for them, at absolutely no cost to the tax payers. Is it really worth it?